Spotted Pleco ID

[alvin]

Hi

Any help identifying this pleco will be greatly appreciated.

Sold by petshop as L201 at 5cm TL. I have had L201, hypancistrus contradens, white spotted (peppermint) and L183 plecos and this pleco is definately not one of those. Ive had them for a year and a half and they have just grown a cm so very slow growth rate and spots vary from white to cream to pale green on a black background. They also have a very flattened profile and are not timid by any means has they share a tank with other larger plecos and are not shy at feeding time. They are also very hardy as they have been moved around quite a bit and in a wide range of water parameters with no visible signs of stress or injury.

Thanks in advance

Regards
Alvin

[racoll]

Hi Alvin.

Did you intend to post a photo? A photo would really help if you have one.

At a guess, from your description it sounds like

Hopliancistrus sp(l017)

or

Pseudolithoxus anthrax

.

[alvin]

Hi Racoll

Sorry, thought I had...
Thanks for input. Lets see if anyone else as any other suggestions.

[Richard B]

P. anthrax?

[GhostArcher]

P. anthrax?

That would be my guess also.

[Suckermouth]

P. anthrax is the most likely.

I will note the main diagnostic character between P. anthrax and P. nicoi is the absence or presence (respectively) of a white edge on the caudal fin, which we can't see in the photos.

[alvin]

Hi

Thanks for the valuable input. I am almost certain its P. Anthrax as it does not have any white markings on dorsal or caudal. Uncertain still about growth rate as I have not seen remarkable growth, I also have not seen the profuse pectoral and cheek hair growth thats on most of the pics on the internet and no mention is made of the pale green colour of the spots. Also some pics show a reddish tinge to the dorsal fin which this fish does not have.

Regards
Alvin

[Jools]

I think the guys have it right with a young P. anthrax. I have snagging doubt it might be

L033

but that's unlikely - cant be sure without a shot of its erect caudal fin.

Cheers

Jools

[alvin]

Hi

Thanks again for input and a great site that one can get valuable info and advice from. Settled on P. Anthrax.

Regards
Alvin